Some of you have followed me for a long time from Namaste` Holistic Services, The Sentient Soul, WillowSong Medicine Woman to Mystic Willow. Some of you have known me as Judy Polimac, Judy Edwards, Judy Klemos and from Judy, to Jude to Jade.
I appreciate your acceptance and support as I have done my own transitioning. As the seasons change, so too do we and I have entered into a new season of my life.
I want to take a minute to explain it.
I have lived my life in service of others in various roles over the course of three decades. I have a long career in Social Work, working in most of the genres within that field. Without question I have been most honored to be allowed to work with those with Intellectual Disabilities and those in hospice.
Alongside this fulfilling career I studied and practiced in the metaphysical field developing a skill for energy healing and intuitive energy counseling. I have developed a very unique approach to life and assisting others by combining these two worlds.
Recently the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association has developed a committee to develop and structure a paradigm for end of life doulas. This non-medical based approach to this last transition is long overdue. I have the privilege of being one of the pioneers of this frontier.
Thus I have started Healing Rites of Passage and for lack of a better title I call myself an End of Life Doula, however I believe this model can be applied to all of life’s transitions, thus making me more of a Life Transitions Doula, specializing in end of life transitions.
What does an end of life doula do? Similar to what a birth doula does, but instead of assisting a mother in bringing a life into this world, I assist those leaving this world and their families left behind.
It is important to note that this is a non-medical support position not intended to replace things like palliative care or hospice, but to enhance it. I provide therapeutic presence, emotional support, spiritual support, education on the needs of dying as well as the needs of the grieving, the end of life process, advocacy, opportunities for legacy creation, memorial/funeral planning, advanced care directive planning, companionship and energy work just to name a few.
I have been an ordained minister since 2003. I am not aligned with any organized religion, but rather have a holistic spiritual focus.
I have met many children, spouses and siblings who, when I tell them of my path, state that they wish they had someone like me when their loved one transitioned. I have had others say they wish they’d known me when they were going through a major life transition of their own (such as divorce, baby blessings and chronic illness). This post is one way of telling the world I move in that this service exists, and that I am here.
I appreciate your continued support, encouragement and companionship on my own journey, and as always…
I love you.
~Jade
